Dolly Parton Bringing Comfort To Kids Across U.S. With Bedtime Stories

(CNN/KDKA) — Parents working nine to five — now from home, amid the coronavirus pandemic — will soon get some help in entertaining their kids, thanks to country music superstar Dolly Parton.

The nine-time Grammy winner said beginning this Thursday, she will read bedtime stories to children in a new virtual series called “Goodnight with Dolly.”

Each week, Parton will read a new book selected from the Imagination Library, her book gifting program which mails free books to children.

“This is something I have been wanting to do for quite a while, but the timing never felt quite right,” Parton said in a statement on the program’s website. “I think it is pretty clear that now is the time to share a story and to share some love.”

“Any child in the city under five [is eligible],” Dan Gilman, Mayor Bill Peduto’s chief of staff, said last year. “And once you sign up and you’re verified as a city resident for the next five years, every month, they’ll be a book in your mailbox for your child.”

The new, free reading to children 10-week series will kick off with a reading of “The Little Engine That Could,” a book that has been a source of inspiration for Parton.

“Dolly hopes this series of stories will provide comfort and reassurance to coping kids and families during the shelter-in-place mandates,” according to the news release announcing the series.

Parton’s storytime will be streamed on Facebook every Thursday at 7 p.m.